Scotty/Scottie Dog, Scotch Terriers on Vintage Valentines

Just between us two I think a heap of you Valentine!

4 3/4" x 6 1/8"
circa 1940s
Mechanical
Pastel colors
marked: Made in U.S.A.
no other publisher's marks
Dogs with Dog House

Don't STRING ME ALONG Be my Valentine.

3 1/8" x 4 7/8"
circa 1930s
Flat
made in USA

Sports - Boxing Themes on Vintage Valentines

To My Valentine I'll admit you've got me down Almost knocked me out - too - But I'll FIGHT for my RIGHT and my RIGHT ONE is YOU.

5" x 7 5/8"
dated 1940
Fold-Out
marked: Made in U.S.A.
no other publisher's marks

You're a Knockout Valentine! My heart is ON THE ROPES you see, Because you've made a HIT  with me!

4 1/2" x 5"
circa 1950s 
Flat
 by Golden Bell
 made in USA
marked: P 7133-A

Standing Tall for Love - Stilts on Vintage Valentines

My Dear Valentine You've got me off my Balance!

3 3/8" x 5 7/8"
circa 1930s  
Fold out
embossed
no publisher's marks

You stand HIGH with me

4 1/2" x 4"
dated 1940  
Standing Fold-Out
marked: A.C. Co
for American Colortype
Product of U.S.A.
102
x/.

Artist - C S Byrnes - The Unknown Artist

I am in a Stew all about you.

3 1/2" x 4 1/8"
circa 1920s  
signed: CS Byrnes
no publisher's marks

The name CS Byrnes can be found on a handful of postcards and shaped, flat valentines, but the person behind the name is a bit of a mystery. Dating to the 1910s or 1920s, these cards feature big cheeked, sad-eyed little cuties. Byrnes worked for greeting card giant, Gibson. The postcard images signed by Byrnes appear to be mainly if not exclusively, published by Gibson. The heart shaped flat shown above has no publisher's marks so it may or may not be a Gibson product. 

Aside from this affiliation with Gibson, I have as of yet, found no information to flesh out a fuller image of Byrnes - not even a full name. The Gibson Greeting Card company closed in 2000 after stumbling through a rocky time in 1990s. Its massive headquarters in Cincinnati, Ohio was demolished back in 2016 to make way for a project developed by the Cincinnati Port Authority. Surely archives and company history including details of artists and cards of note have been stored somewhere? With an Ohio University library perhaps? Or perhaps you have an inside scoop regarding this named, yet unknown artist, CS Byrnes? Do tell in the comments! (Comments are moderated since we get so much spam, so be patient with us, we will get to it, it just takes a bit sometimes)

Dan Cupid - That's Mr. Cupid to you!

Dan Cupid's origins likely come from the out-dated use of "Dan" as an honorific title. Like "Sir" or the more humble "Mister." So the Roman god of affection and desire becomes Dan Cupid. 

This embodiment of a mythological character abounds in early 20th century culture, with mentions in operas (German and Hood's Merrie England of 1902), plays (Boileau and Erle's Mr. Dan Cupid or There's Nowt as Queer as Folk.. from 1908) movies (1911's The Tempter and Dan Cupid), and of course appearing on countless Valentine cards over the next several decades. Earliest, well-known usage is undoubtedly found in Berowne's monologue in Shakespeare's Love's Labours Lost first published in 1598: 

This wimpled, whining, purblind, wayward boy, This signor-junior, giant-dwarf, Dan Cupid, Regent of love-rimes, lord of folded arms, The anointed sovereign of sighs and groans, Liege of all loiterers and malcontents, Dread prince of plackets, king of codpieces, Sole imperator and great general Of trotting paritors -- O my little heart!

With Love ~ Dan Cupid ~ Cupid in his happy day Many pranks has tried to play, Aiming at su all a dart, Piercing every faithful heart; To give to you, sweet Valentine, He took this loving heart of mine.

4 3/8" x 4 1/2"
circa 1920s
Single Fold
Embossed
No publisher's marks

Dan Cupid is a highwayman Who makes poor lovers pine, But I will give my heart to you. My Darling Valentine.

4 3/4" x 3 1/2"
circa 1910s, 1920s

by Jason Freixas

folds to stand
no publisher marks

 'Instructions by D. Cupid' (text on book) Love's catching (on winged heart).

4" x 2 1/2"
dated 1933
Mechanical Flat
embossed detailing
no publisher's marks

Clarinet - You Sure Hit The Right Note

Gosh! Valentine - You sure hit the RIGHT NOTE with me!

6 1/4" x 5 1/8"
circa 1940s 
  Mechanical Flat
   Marked: Litho in U.S.A.
 Girl Playing Clarinet 

A Hearty Page - Hearts and Heart-Shaped Cards

My Heart's A Gift. To A Loved One ~ I'm not ashamed of what I want to say, 'Tis not the theme that puzzles, but the way My happy little secret to express: Take pity on me then, and try to guess.

5 3/8" x 3 5/8"
circa 1900s
Flat
Embossed
Gold Detailing.
No Publisher's Marks

Valentine Greetings

 2 1/2" x 3"
circa 1910s, 1920s
Flat
no publisher's marks

Valentine If you will give me YOURS today, I'll throw the other HEARTS away!

5" x 3"
circa 1930s, 1940s
Mechanical Flat
marked: made in U.S.A.
no other publisher's marks

Flower, Floral: Forget-Me-Not Flowers

Forget-Me-Not

3" x 4"
circa 1910s
Flat
Embossed
Gold Detailing.
No Publisher's Marks

(Message hidden under flower: Forget-Me-Not I'm your Valentine!) Valentine Greetings Within this Blue Forget-Me-Not are thoughts of you that "Hit The Spot" So open up the flower to view a "True Blue" Valentine for you!

2 5/8" x 2 7/8"
circa 1930s, 1940s
Flat
message printed under attached blue paper 'flower' riveted to top section
marked: made in U.S.A.
no other publisher's marks

To My sweetheart

2 1/2" x 2 3/4"
circa 1920s
Flat
made in Germany

Walt Disney Studios - Cartoon Character Valentine Cards

To One I Love, I'm like Dopey, trying to peek, To see if your heart is mine to keep.

 5 1/8" x 4 3/4"
dated 1938
Mechanical
marked: made in USA
c 1938 W.D.Ent.

I want you, For I'll confess,You'd bring Happy Happiness.

 5" x 3 1/4"
dated 1938
Mechanical
marked: made in USA
c 1938 W.D.Ent.

My name is Sneezy and its true I sneeze at everyone but you.

4" x 4 3/4"
dated 1938

Sneezy from Snow White and the Seven Dwarves Set
Mechanical
marked: made in USA
c 1938 W.D.Ent.

If you'll be my Clarabell, My love for you I'll gladly tell.
Walt Disney Productions
dated 1939
made in USA

Disney's Clarabell Cow

The name's Gideon, my character tough But here is my heart with all my love.

3 1/8" x 5"
Walt Disney Productions
dated 1939
made in USA

From Disney's Pinocchio

Over the years, Walt Disney has licensed the production of many valentines. The 1930s saw many different sets produced in celebration of their animated features.

I am Goofy That is True Simply Goofy Over You.

 5 1/4" x 2 3/4"
dated 1939
Mechanical
marked: made in USA
c 1939 W.D.P.

Valentine and Sons created a set of mechanical cards with Mickey and Minnie Mouse in 1938. They may be the company who created the other sets of Disney character mechanical cards from the 1930s.

The Hall Brothers (who later became Hallmark) made a set of fold-over cards featuring Mickey and others. This set is quite difficult to come by.

Animal - Squirrels Love Nuts

Hi, Valentine - Cashew see I'm NUTS about you?  

4 3/8" x 5 1/2"
dated 1955
Flat
marked: o 2/5Vu-565A-2

Simply 'Nutty' about You My Valentine.

7" x 4"
circa 1920s
Mechanical Flat
no publisher's marks

I'm NUTS about you, Valentine!

2 3/4" x 3 3/4"
circa 1950s, 1960s
Flat
made in USA

Artfully Yours - Painter and Artist Themed Cards

You're my Valentine ~ I'll print ti in big letters So everyone can see I choose YOU for my valentine Now won't you please choose ME?

5 1/2" x 4 3/4"
dated 1947
Folded
marked: 10V312
Norcross
New York U.S.A.

To My Valentine.

3 1/4" x 6 1/4"
circa 1920s, 1930s
Mechanical Flat
 no publisher's marks

Cultures and Ethnicities: Hawaii, Hawaiian Islands

Hawaii' Valentine? U.R.O.K.

3" x 4 3/8"
circa 1940s, 1950s
Fold-Out with Paper-Puff
marked: made in U.S.A.
no other publisher's marks

I'm LULU from Honolulu Wanna Be my Valentine?

large mechanical card
circa 1950s

I lov U ~ How-Ah-Ye my Valentine

Googly-Eyed Mechanical Flat
circa 1950s
made in USA

Animal - Cows and Bulls: I Wish You CUD be Mine

Gosh! I like "U" an' this ain't no BULL! Be My Valentine.

7 3/8" x 5 1/2"
circa 1950s
Mechanical Flat
marked: 0-163
Made in U.S.A.
A-Meri-Card

Love Hay! May I HORN in? Be my Valentine love.

7 1/4" x 4"
circa 1950s
Mechanical Flat
marked: Made in U.S.A.
no other publisher's marks

Wish I CUD be your Valentine

4" x 3 5/8"
circa 1920s, 1930s
Mechanical Flat